The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-10-12

snatched her away throughout the first
wear in the new land. Slender fingers
showed faithful devotion to work and
duty, and on one of them was worn
PLAIN gold band, placed there by hel
outcast brother and duplicate worn by
him), upon her leaving England, he moi
sympathizing with the Puritans, and de-
termining to remain in London.
Damaris slept ill that night; hel
thoughts con jured up wild insensate
dreams; and from dewy eve to awaken
ing morn seemed interminable. Hel
early duties called her to work, and soon
breakfast was ready for her worthy father,
who was clad in his soldier trappings
ready for departure. Last words were
spoken, and the admirable man rode
away upon his mission to Governor
Winthrop.
Twas September Sunday, and all
nature was decked in robes of finest
green; the autumn had not yet begun to
tinge the leaves with proud colors before
their fall, and the clustering winds were
lingering in their haunts ere descending
upon the sparse settlement, casting leaves
and branches and dust in wild confusion
upon the earth. Damaris stood at the
door looking upon the crooked river;
looking beyond it upon the pastures
and woodlands; and farther still upon the
hills that concealed the remains of many
tragedy between the red man and some
too venturous white settler. Her mother
was within, busying herself with final
petty fixings, as she was awaiting the
coming of Mr.. NorcoSs.
"Well, Andrew" said she, as he
turned the by-path and advanced, with
curious look upor his countenance "fa-
ther has been gone this good while
and we fear we will be late to church"
''Damaris, there is a young man yon-
der at my house to-day who asks after
you, and sends you this ring as remem-
brancer-ah. you recognize its"
1t was unusual for the Governor to be
absent from church, but there being i'm
portant business with Governor Winthrop
regarding a new case of supposed witch
craft which had been bewildering the
sturdy minds of the authorities for some
weeks, and on the day previous the
trial of the Soothsayer having taken
place, Craddock was anxious to learn the
results, other important affairs OBTAINING
him ut home, although his presence had
been greatly needed in the courtroom.
So it was that he journeyed to Boston,
accompanied Governor Winthrop to
church, and received the distinction of
saying grace at dinner late in the after
noon. The witch and all her trappings
were to be let alone, and many of the
community were satisfied.
Brave Mathew set out for home early
in the evening, carrying heavy heart,
for all who were pleased to engage in
the ''fruitless beggarly art of alchemis-
try" were heavy burdens upon his acute
brain; and the news of the acquittal had
displeased him 9d led his thoughts
into dissatisfied channels. The way was
long, the roads were dark, and full two
hours would elapse ere he saw the house
which protected his blessed daug ghter.
Then the thoughts of the previous night
came to him and began to make havoc
in his brain, and dreadful conjectures as
to the intents of the mysterious visitor
broke in upon the customary composure
of his apparently well-balanced mind.
And to add to the ardor of his disgrace
full thoughts, as he rode by Goodman
Abram Nowell's, the sun slowly setting
directly ahead of him. Abram stepped to
the edge of the roadway and said in
solemn tones and low:
Mathew, the young man whom /
housed last night was at church with
Goodman Norcross, and did walk home
with Damaris. Strange noises and
laughter and singing have been heard
this evening since dusk, and"
"Say no more!" commanded the Gov
ernor, and rode away, Abram leaning up
on his stick and noticing that the London
merchant carefully examined his great
pistol and then returned it to its socket.
Mathews anger was by this time in full
control of heart and head; not even his
love for his daughter had influence over
the pas ionate powers. He reached his
house-no wife, no daughter to welcome
his return, no light in the house to de-
note the presence of any of his family.
He stalled his horse, and stalked into the
kitchen, which was darker than the twi-
light without; he made no sound, but
heard voices. There was mans voice
the same as demanded converse with
his daughter the night beforehand he
heard loving words and kisses! Sdeath
who dared kiss his child, and he sprang
into the room and beheld the sight which
increased his fury: A young man, clad
in Quaker clothes, seated upon the settle
and Damaris on his lap, his arm about
her waist. The fire of Mathews eyes
burst upon their faces like lightning in a
prison cell; Damaris jumped at the sound
of the irate mans steps, and rose and
rushed forward to embrace him. He
threw her from him violently, and pull
ing his pistol from his side raised it and
fred.
ssFather!' screamed Damaris, in
frantic voice, "you have-killed your
son!" and she tainted upon the body of
her brother.
Mathew Cradock, stunned by the deed
he had done, fell i'll of fever which
affected his brain. Slowly he fingered,
seldom recognizing any one, but calling
for civilian! my poor boy William'
almost constantly.
He had killed his son who had remained
in London, and then becoming adventur-
Gus had started for America, landing in
IL A~A AID<l